Watchstrap NATO crocodile 20mm Black

Black crocodile, no other argument

No contrast stitching, no accent: the hide and nothing else. The most severe fitting in the catalogue and, on a steel watch with a black dial, the most accomplished. This strap needs no detail to justify itself.

Genuine crocodile, not embossed calf

The market is saturated with calf stamped to look like croco. The difference is visible to the naked eye once you know where to look. On a genuine hide the scales never repeat identically: their size tapers gradually along the strap, and the relief stays irregular. Embossed leather loops its pattern — follow the strap and you will watch it come back.

With time, a genuine hide patinas and the scales gain depth, where embossed calf simply flattens.

The 2mm constraint

Making a NATO strap in leather is not a styling question, it is a thickness problem. The strap has to travel under the caseback exactly as nylon does. Two layers of leather, hypoallergenic lining included, and still under 2mm. Fits every watch.

Made in Arezzo, exclusively for us

Arezzo, in Tuscany, has worked leather since the Middle Ages. Our NATOSCAN straps are handmade there, exclusively for La Boîte à Montres: you will not find them anywhere else. That is the difference between a product picked from a catalogue and a product designed with a workshop.

NATO fitting, leather looks

The strap slides under the case and wraps around the wrist, exactly like a nylon NATO. No tools, no spring bars to remove. The watch rests on the strap and is held by both spring bars: if one fails, the other holds it. Stainless steel buckle and keepers.

Fitting on video — removing a Rolex bracelet

The video shows a nylon NATO strap, but the movement is exactly the same: the strap passes under the case, the spring bars stay put, no tools are needed. Leather fits precisely this way.

This strap and water: let us be clear

Leather does not forgive immersion. No sea, no pool, no shower, no washing machine — a soaked NATOSCAN never returns to what it was. For water, take a nylon NATO strap: that is exactly what nylon is for. Leather handles the other nine months.

Fits 20mm lug width

IWC Mark XVIII, Doxa Sub 300, Marathon GSAR, Marathon TSAR, Oris Divers Sixty-Five 40. Measure the gap between your lugs, not the case diameter.

The range has variations: see the blue with red stitching NATOSCAN and the black and red NATOSCAN. Everything is here: Arezzo leather straps 20mm.

Its past is worth a look: discover the story of the NATO strap. For a flawless fit, see how to secure a NATO strap.